When Men Quit Being Men

I know there are going to be quite a few of the male persuasion who will not be too happy about this post, but I can't help it. During these holidays, when families spend extra time enjoying each other and the traditions they share, I'm feeling so sorry for all the women I know whose husbands have dumped them and their kids. Yes, dumped them. That's what men do when they shirk their responsibilities to their families, quit being real men, and go off to indulge themselves. Oh, they may feign kindness and say, "Sorry, we've grown apart", or "I've become restless" or "dissatisfied", but let's face it: there's no love in their leaving. Love never quits. Love is not self-centered. It is not proud, covetous, or lazy.

How does the rift between couples begin? Or better yet, why?

The scripture gives insight into the problem in 2 Timothy 3:4 when it says that men these days tend to be "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

God is love (1 John 3, 4). He not only teaches us how to love, He gives us the power to do it. Jesus said in John 15 that those who love Him will abide in His love and love one another. Jesus' love is the super glue that keeps families together. And not just together for the sake of not splitting up. But together to experience full joy.

The downfall of not only men but women and children too is our seeking pleasure outside of God. We are commanded by our Creator to rejoice in Him. He is the seat of true pleasure. And the joy of the Lord is our strength against sin.

C. S. Lewis said the Lord "finds our desires not too strong but too weak." Can you imagine that? John Piper said: "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him." (You can read all about this online in his book "Desiring God": http://www.desiringgod.org/dg/id1.htm

"Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." (Psalm 37:4) If we delight ourselves in the Lord, our desires will be in accord with His desires--one of which is to have a whole and happy family whose members will enjoy Him and each other forever.

(Photo by L. Trecroce)